Grad student Rachel Noone returns to flyhalf this fall. /// Photo: RRaFFPhotography •
St. Bonaventure doesn’t view small enrollment as a limiting factor. With fewer than 1,800 undergraduates, the majority of which are women, the men’s team grew into a D1A program. Former men’s coach Clarence Picard propelled the team into varsity-like status, and now he’s employing his expertise with the women’s program.
That expertise is unique in that it extends beyond the rugby pitch. Picard (class of 2005) spent his first three years at the university in the admissions department and today is the Director of Annual Giving. When Picard pitched elevated status for the men, he cited the rugby team’s ability to routinely recruit 15-20 student-athletes each year, and that more support would only aid his reach and the school’s enrollment. When it was time to hire full-time coaches, a well curated alumni association answered.
“We want to do it the right way and grow it organically,” Picard spoke to plans for the women. “The men’s success started from that. We worked our way up the ranks, developing alumni and recruiting networks, and we’ll do the same with the women.”
Picard is also taking notes from women’s college programs in the region, especially some of newly named NCAA varsity teams.
“First, we want to compete at [NSCRO], then move to DII,” the coach spoke to goals but not timelines. “I’ve been in touch with the athletic department, and it’s aware of rugby’s status in the NCAA. It’s more about where the game is in three years. It’s absolutely on the table and we’ll consider the NCAA route, but things could change, so no predictions.
“Some schools saw the advantage of bringing in students but weren’t necessarily backed with the support resources they needed: a full-time coach but also assistant coaches, academic oversight, strength-and-conditioning trainers – all those things,” Picard said. “We’d rather operate at the varsity level with no designation than in a patched-up system. Our number one goal is to have an outstanding experience when joining the program.”
There are no expectations for the upcoming season other than being able to compete. There are a handful of returning players, buoyed by a couple of newcomers with previous experience, and they’ll familiarize themselves with the new coaching staff. Aiding Picard are Dr. Giles Bootheway, who coached the team to a playoff berth last fall; Bruce Snyder, who coached the women to a New York state DII championship in fall 1999; and former 7s Eagle Lindsey Stephenson. The team and staff will focus on basic skills and fitness while building toward the NSCRO season.
In the mean time, the women’s team will have access to all of the support mechanisms available to the men, and Picard will have a proper build-up to next season. He’s been working on relationships with notable programs like New York state champion Orchard Park, Play Rugby Academy, Morris and other high school powers in the Northeast.
“First thing’s first: Get the program in the right direction. We need to recruit good, strong women with good grades and athletic backgrounds,” Picard said. “We have internal goals of when we want to be successful at certain levels, but we’re not putting that pressure on the current players.
“Enrollment will not be a determining factor of where we compete,” he reiterated. “We pride ourselves on being a small DIA men’s team and have the same goals with the women.”
This push for parity in the women’s program is well timed with the Olympics buzz, and that’s no coincidence. Picard wants to use the momentum of women’s rugby in the Olympics, build a competitive advantage, and also showcase the women’s program as an asset of the university.
“I really worked hand-in-hand with admissions and the financial aid office, so if St. Bonaventure is the right fit for someone, then we’ll do everything to make it happen,” Picard said. “Women’s rugby is such a big enrollment initiative [the university’s] putting forth.”
At present, there are no scholarships available, but Picard is currently working on fundraising initiatives. The Bonnies compete in NSCRO’s Upstate New York western division and will kick of their fall 15s season on Sept. 17.
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